This is a simple way to allow your users to switch page layouts by using CSS and jQuery.

Today’s web users expect web pages to be increasingly more interactive. To this end, the ability to change page layouts provides your users with a more immersive experience and allows them to consume information more easily, either with a quick gallery view, or a detailed summary view.

Step1. Creating the Wireframe

We will first start out designing the vertical list layout with a simple unordered list which we will use as our columns/rows.

HTML

CSS *Note I used different shades of grey to achieve the subtle bevel look.

Step2. Styling the Content

Inside of each list item, we nest a div which will act as our container of the content inside. I feel it’s easier to calculate the columns when you don’t have to consider the margin and padding within. This comes in handy especially when you are working with a liquid layout (since we know % and fixed pixels don’t mix in too well).